PHOENIX, Ariz. - Sarah Allen scored a game-high 19 points and the Aggies used a 9-0 run late in the game to seal the win as UC Davis defeated Grand Canyon, 64-58, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association women's game Friday evening at Antelope Gym.

With the win the Aggies improve to 9-5 on the season, 5-4 in conference action while the Antelopes fall to 6-8 on the year, 3-6 on CCAA play.

The game looked to be in control for UC Davis as with 12 minutes remaining the Aggies held a 14-point lead at 47-33. The lead came following a 12-0 run over a 4:36 span that began with four free throws off two Grand Canyon technical fouls. With the Aggies clinging to a two-point lead at the 16:55 mark, an Antelope player attempted to enter the game before the referee waved her in. She was assessed a technical foul, resulting in the first two free throws. Antelope Head Coach Kip Drown argued the call and was given his own technical. Colleen Turnbull calmly sank all four free throws and when Allen converted a layup 10 seconds later, the Aggies capitalized on a six-point possession.

Down 14, Grand Canyon battled back as it went on a run of its own. Over the next 8:27, the Antelopes outscored UC Davis 19-4, taking its only lead of the second half at 52-51. Lauren Westerman led the charge as she scored eight points in that stretch as the Aggies went cold, connecting on just one field goal in that span. The run was halted when Jennifer Decuir drilled a three-point basket with 5:16 left, bringing the Aggies to within one.

It was the Aggies turn to get defensive and they did so with a 9-0 run over the next 3:57 as another Decuir jumper and a beautiful assist on an Allen layup gave UC Davis some breathing room. As with past games, the Aggies made their free throws when it counted most, converting eight of 10 free throws over the final minute to seal the victory.
"That's a big 'W'," said Aggie Head Coach Sandy Simpson. "We can't have the kind of drought we had tonight and expect to win too many games. But in the end when we had to make plays, we did and I'm pleased with that."
The first half saw both teams struggle shooting the ball. It was the Aggies who first gained some separation as they went on a 7-0 run midway through the first half to take a 20-15 lead. Kim Omer's three ignited the run and the UC Davis defense held the Antelopes without a field goal for almost three minutes in the run. Grand Canyon would tie the score at 20 before another Aggie run resulted in a 26-20 lead with just over five minutes remaining, the biggest lead of the half for UC Davis. The Antelopes would take the lead on a three-pointer from Lindsay Lawson with just under a minute remaining in the half, but Kim Smith answered with a trey of her own, giving the Aggies a two-point margin at 31-29, heading into halftime.

In addition to her 19 points, Allen added 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Turnbull finished with 12 points and nine boards while Smith finished with 10 points. The Aggies held a 45-39 advantage on the glass and finished the night shooting 81 percent from the foul line.